Balance block for buildings



Sept. 17,1935, J. F. J. BAKKER BALANCE BLOCK FOR BUILDINGS Filed Aug 51, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A rromye'ys em. M 1935. J. F. J. BAKKER fi fi I BALANCE BLOCK FOR BUILDINGS Filed Aug. 51, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v F76 I n /8 #6019 FJ. BAA km? Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED'STATES FATENT OFFICE BALANCE BLOCK FOR BUILDINGS Jacob F. J. Bakker, Lakewood,-hlo

Application August 31,

8 Claims.

Essentially the invention comprises blocks of a particular construction mounted adjacently above and upon the building foundation and adjacently beneath the building superstructure and capable of absorbing the horizontal movements of the foundation occasioned by the earth tremors during an earthquake without communicating these horizontal movements to the superstructure.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying my invention, such means disclosing, however, but a few of the various forms in which the principle of the invention may be applied.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, of the corner of a building with which is incorporated one set of my improved balance blocks;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of elements similar to those shown in Figure 1, illustrating modified means for securing the lower balance block to the building foundation;

Figure 3 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, showing a modified form of balance block, also showing an electrically actuated device and wiring diagram adaptable for giving notice of any horizontal movements of the building superstructure, this view also suggesting the positioning of the balance blocks beneath an interior column of the building superstructure;

Figure 4 is a view, upon an enlarged scale, of the balance block feature of the elements shown in Figure l and the building elements immediately adjacent thereto, this view showing the several elements during the normal position thereof;

Figure 5 is a plan section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 5-5, Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view of the elements shown in Figure 4 in the several positions thereof when an earth tremor has moved the building foundation horizontally laterally of its regular position; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of the balance blocks as shown in Figure 4, illustrating a modified form of structure serving as a grease-retaining and protection shield. 7

Referring to the annexed drawings in which the same parts are illustrated by the same several numbers (in the different views, and particularly referring to the structure shown in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6, a building superstructure l of any 1933, Serial No. 687,656

suitable standard design is provided with a door beam or sill 2 beneath one end of which, and for purposes of illustration, at a corner of the building, are disposed my improved balance blocksconsisting of an upper bearing member 3 suitably 5 rigidly secured to the sill 2 and a lower bearing member 4 suitably rigidly secured to the building foundation It. The upper and lower bearing blocks 3 and 4 are formed with opposed inner concave surfaces 5 and 6, respectively, which form a pocket I within which is positioned a bearing ball -8 adapted, in conjunction with a suitable number of other like bearing balls positioned at intervals in like sets of bearing members around the foundation It, to support the weight of the superstructure i. It will be noted that {the balls 8 are of such a size as to somewhat space, one from the other, the upper and lower bearing memhers 3 and 4.. it will also be noticed that the horizontal dimensions of the pocket F! are materially larger than the diameter Of the ball -;8 so that lateral enlargements s9 of the pocket are provided into which the ball 8, as hereinafter fully explained, may roll upon the bearing surfaces '5 and B. r 25 in the form of invention shown in Figures 4, 5 and-'6, the space between the contiguous end parts of the bearing members :3 and 4 is part filled by :a :bearing plate :H having a central hole 12 :of a diameter substantially equal .to that of 30 the ball 8 so that the latter is fitted within said .hole with .a close sliding fit which does not interfere with the rolling movement of the ball upon the surfaces .5 and .6. The balance ofthe vertical space between the contiguousend portions of the 35 bearing members ,3 and 4 is filled .by a ring of bearing balls M which rest in, and are adapted to .rollin, and part extend from, an annular ball race I13 formed 'in the periphery of the upper part of the lower bearing member 4. 40

Referring particularly to Figures 4 and '6, it will be evident that upon the lateral movement of the foundation 'IO, due "to earth tremors, the bearing block "4 will be moved correspondingly and hence'the ball 8 will be-rolleduponthe surface 6 so as to -c' li1nb such surface in a direction opposite to that which the foundation 10- *moves, although actually the ball 8 will be moved to a greater or .less extent in the same direction -as the movement :of the foundation .111, Alsmrthe 59 bearingplate M will'be-moved by and :to theisame aextent and-in the same directionaszzthe hall =8, the rmovementiof the plate 2-H :beingfacilitated-by the series of bearing balls 44 whichactas rollers. Furthermore, the ball 8 will 21'0111113011 the upper bearing surface 5 in a direction corresponding to that of the movement of the foundation ill. However, the upper bearing member 3 which is rigidly secured to the superstructure i will not be moved except slightly vertically, this vertical movement being due to the travel of the ball 8 from its two-point contact with those opposed points of the bearing surfaces 5 and 6 most widely spaced to a two-point contact with said surfaces less widely spaced. In the illustration shown in Figures 4 and 6, the capacity for relative movement of the several parts is shown and it is presumed that the foundation H] has been moved by the earth tremor somewhat to the left of its normal position, such as illustrated by the normal position in Figure 4 and the shifted position in Figure 6; that the ball 8 has traveled upwardly upon the right hand side of the lower bearing surface 6 and downwardly upon the left hand side of the upper bearing surface 5, thus compensating for the left hand movement of the foundation l without inducing a corresponding -movement in the upper bearing member 3 secured to the superstructure I, the latter being unaffected except for the slight vertical movement thereof, clearly shown in Figure 6. During the relative horizontal movements of the bearing blocks 3 and 4 and the consequent slight vertical movement of the upper bearing block 3 and the superstructure mounted thereon, the series of bearing balls l4 are not subject to the weight of the building but act only as rollers for the movement of the bearing plate II and the large ball 8.

In order to facilitate the easy movement of the ball 8 and the series of balls M, the pocket I is filled with grease, and a flexible shield I6 is secured by one of its edges to the upper bearing member 3 and by the other edge to the lower bearing member 4 to serve as a grease-retaining member and to prevent the entrance of dirt between the meeting surfaces of the balance block members.

-In Figure '7, I illustrate a modified form of shield, which consists of two continuous circular 'members I! and i8, both of which are secured in a dirt-excluding manner to the respective upper and lower surfaces of the bearing plate II and also respectively secured, one to the upper bearing member 3 and the other to the lower bearing member 4.

In Figure 3, I illustrate a modified structure for the lower bearing member. In this form of structure, this lower bearing member comprises two complementary sections I9 and 20 formed respectively with concave and convex surfaces to accommodate a series of balls 23 positioned in the ball race 22 formed by said opposed concave and convex surfaces. The balls 23 completely fill a circular field whose diameter is that comprehended by the series of balls 23 shown in Figure 3. In this form of device, the lower bearing member section I9 is a concave-convex member, of which the concave face serves for the bearing surface of the large ball 8 and the convex face serves as one side of the ball race for the series of balls 23. A compound action of the balance blocks of the form'shown in Figure 3 results from an earth tremor which laterally moves the foundation I0 in that a part of said foundation movement is communicated through the base plate 2|, the bearing member section 20, the balls 23 and the bearing member section [9 to the comparatively 7-5 large central ball 8, and a part is absorbed by the adjustment of the lower bearing member section 20 upon the field of balls 23.

Referring further to the modification shown in Figure 3, I therein illustrate how my improved balance blocks are adaptable for use under any column in any part of the building, the base plate 24 of said Figure 3 being a base for an interior column to which and adjacently beneath which is secured the upper bearing member 3 of the balance blocks.

The lower bearing member 4 of my improved balance blocks may be secured to the foundation ill in any approvide desired manner. In Figure l,

I have shown the securing thereof to reinforcing beams contained within the concrete foundation i0, and in Figure 2 I show the securing of the lower bearing member by anchor bolts 26 to a plain concrete foundation, a base plate 25 being interposed between said concrete foundation and the lower bearing member 4.

In order that minor earth vibrations may be absorbed, I interpose material between the superstructure and the upper bearing member 3, and between the foundation l0 and the lower bearing member 4, which is capable of absorbing slight tendencies of the lower bearing member 4 to move laterally and of the superstructure I to move vertically, such as the paper liners 21, clearly indicated in Figures 4 and 6.

I provide means for indicating the earth 30 tremors, as shown by the movements of the foundation l0, and for indicating any sidewise movements of the superstructure I, if perchance the intensity of the earth tremor is such that all of the sidewise movement of the foundation I0 is not absorbed by the balance blocks. The indicator for the foundation movements is suggested in Figure 4, and the indicator for the sidewise movements of the superstructure l forms a part of Figure 3. These indicator means 4 form no part of the invention claimed in this application.

Referring first to the indicator for the lateral foundation movements, Figure 4, I provide spring contact plates 28 secured to, and at spaced points around, the lower bearing member 4, and extended upwardly so as to intersect the path of the periphery of the bearing plate H, when the relation of said plate and the lower bearing member 4 is changed, due to the lateral movements 5 of the foundation iii and the lower bearing member 4. These plates 28 are electrically connected to short conductors 28, adaptable for connection to a main conductor and other suitable signal mechanism (not shown).

Referring particularly to the electrical device for signalling the sidewise movements, if any, of the superstructure I, I provide a circuit 32, Figure 3, which includes a battery 38 and an alarm 39 and is connected at its ends respectively to the floor sill 2 and to a terminal 34 of a housing mounted upon the floor sill 2 and having an insulating exterior wall, such as the glass wall 35, which is secured at its upper and within a flange 34' of the top terminal 34 and at its lower end in a lower terminal 33 by which the housing is mounted upon the floor sill 2. An upwardly extended wire spring 38 is mounted in the base member 33 in contact with the fioor sill 2 and extends adjacently near the upper terminal 34 but is spaced somewhat therefrom. The spring 36 is closely wound and preferably is provided with a slight amount of initial tension. If the floor sill 2 and hence the superstructure l of the building partakes to any appreciable extent of the sidewise movements of the foundation by the earth tremor, the spring 36 laterally and contact the inside face 34' of the terminal 34 and close the circuit, thus causing the alarm 39 to give audible notice of the sidewise movement of the building superstructure.

What I claim is:

1. Balance blocks for buildings comprising bearing members having opposed concave segments forming an interior ball pocket, a ball mounted in the pocket in rolling contact with the segments, the pocket being larger than the ball in horizontal dimensions to permit relative movements of the bearing members and relative movements of the latter and the ball, one of the bearing members being formed with a ball race oncircling its pocket segment, a series of balls in said race, a plate supported by one face upon said series of balls and having its opposite face in contact with the other bearing member in the normal position of the bearing members, said plate being movable with, and to the same extent, as, the first-mentioned ball.

2. Balance blocks for buildings comprising bearing members having opposed concave segments forming an interior ball pocket, a ball mounted in the pocket in rolling contact with the segments, the pocket being larger than theball in horizontal dimensions to permit relative movements of the bearing members and relative movements of the latter and the ball, one of the bearing members being formed with a ball race encircling its pocket segment, a series of balls in said race, a plate supported by one face upon said series of balls and having its opposite face in contact with the other bearing member in the normal position of the bearing members, the plate being annular and the first-mentioned ball being symmetrically positioned within the annulus of the plate with a free rolling fit therewith.

3. Balance blocks for buildings comprising bearing members having opposed concave segments forming an interior ball pocket, a ball mounted in the pocket in rolling contact with the segments, the pocket being larger than the ball in horizontal dimensions to permit relative movements of the bearing members and relative movements of the latter and the ball, one of the bearing members being formed with a ballrace encircling its pocket segment, a series of balls in said race subject to the Weight of the other bearing member in the normal position of the bearing members, said series of balls being movable relatively to said other bearing member, bearing means connected to said first-mentioned ball and resting upon said series of balls, and a flexible outer protective and grease-retaining shield connested to the bearing members and covering the space therebetween.

4. Balance blocks for buildings comprising bearing members having opposed concave segments forming an interior ball pocket, a ball mounted in the pocket in rolling contact with the segments, the pocket being larger than the ball in horizontal dimensions to permit relative movements of the bearing members and relative movements of the latter and the ball, one of the bearing members consisting of two spaced sections In induced will vibrate of the flange forming a ball-race therebetween, and a series of balls in the ball-race.

5. A building structure comprising a superstructure and a foundation, bearing members secured respectively to the superstructure and the foundation and having opposed concave segments forming an interior ball pocket, vibrationdampening means interposed between the superstructure and the foundation and their respective bearing members, a ball mounted in said pocket in rolling contact with the segments, the pocket being larger than the ball in horizontal dimensions to permit relative movements of the bearing members and relative movements of the latter and the ball, one of the bearing members being formed with a ball race encircling its pocket segment, a series of balls in said race subject to the weight of the other bearing member in the normal position of the bearing members, said series of balls being movable relatively to said other bear- L ing member, and bearing means connected to said first-mentioned ball and resting upon said series of balls.

6. Balance blocks for buildings comprising bearing members having opposed concave segments forming an interior ball pocket, a ball mounted in the pocket in rolling contact with the segments, the pocket being larger than the ball in horizontal dimensions to permit relative movements of the bearing members and relative movements of the latter and the ball, one of the bearing members being formed with a ball race encircling its pocket segment, a series of balls in said race, and bearing means contacting the other bearing member in the normal position of the bearing members, said means being connected to said first-mentioned ball and movable upon said series of balls during the relative movements of the bearing members, said series of balls acting as rollers for said mea 7. Balance blocks for buildings comprising bearing members having opposed concave segments forming an interior ball pocket, a ball mounted in the pocket in rolling contact with the segments, the pocket being larger than the ball 45 in horizontal dimensions to permit relative movements of the bearing members and relative movements of the latter and the ball, one of the bearing members being formed with a ball race encircling its pocket segment, a series of balls in said race, a plate supported by one face upon said series of balls and having its opposite face in contact with the other bearing member in the normal position of the bearing members.

8. Balance blocks for buildings comprising weight of the other bearing member in the normal position of the bearing members.

JACOB F. J. BAKKER. 

